Founded in 1889, French cycling brand Mavic is celebrating one heck of a milestone this year, one few other brands in the industry can enjoy. To commemorate the affair, they’ve released limited edition 125 anniversary Ksyrium 125 Wheel-Tyre Systems and a matching HC 125 jersey and bib short.

And they’re not just rebadged versions of existing product, both the wheels and clothing introduce new technology that makes them lighter and faster. Check all the tech details below, followed by the official PR with a nicely condensed history of Mavic’s innovation over the last century and a quarter…

It’s a new rim extrusion and stock, and it uses an all new ISM 4D machining. Compared to the ISM 3D it only saves a few grams, but the extrusion shape is deeper and more aerodynamic thanks to a rounded profile. So, it’s theoretically a faster wheel without adding any weight.

With a claimed weight of just 1370g for the pair, it’s the lightest Ksyrium ever. And for now, the 6,000 pairs of anniversary wheels world wide are the only way to get this new version. U.S. inventory will be based on orders, so contact your shop now if you want a set. While it’s very likely, there’s no word on if or when this new rim shape will make it onto a standard Ksyrium wheel. Retail’s $1,849, available in late May 2014.

The clothing uses the same pattern and cut as the existing version but gets an all new Ergo 3D Pro chamois. They say it has an entirely new shape to fit a larger cross section of the population, and it’s 20% lighter and more breathable. The outer surface against the skin is softer and smoother than before, and the multiple densities of foam are built up away from the sit bones, toward the exterior, to make it more comfortable.

The leg bands also get a new compressive fabric. These follow the wheels in June with a retail of $149.90 (bibs) and $124.90 (jersey).

PRESS RELEASE: This is a special year for Mavic, as it marks the 125th anniversary of the company’s founding as a bicycle parts business in Lyon in 1889. To mark the occasion in style, officials from the company and special guests created a special event in France. Few organizations in cycling can claim such a long and storied history as Mavic, so in addition to hosting a 2-day event tracing the company’s history at various locations in France, Mavic has released a suite of limited edition products to commemorate the historic milestone. The 125 anniversary products include a Ksyrium 125 Wheel-Tyre System and a matching HC 125 jersey and bib short.

Special events in France commenced with a tour of the “Mavic Museum,” a product display in Lyon where visitors viewed original Mavic products dating back to 1889. Special guests in attendance included Mavic riders from the past and present. Stephen Roche emceed the evening, and he was joined by Sean Kelly, Tony Rominger, Laurent Jalabert, Bernard Thevenet, Johan Van Summeren, and Christophe Riblon. Also present were track riders Florian Rousseau, Mickael Hubner, and Jens Fiedler, as well as Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme.

Following the museum visit, guests rode from Lyon to Mavic’s historic rim factory in Saint Trivier sur Moignans. In operation since 1966, this facility was center of Mavic’s operations until the late 1990’s. Even now, 90% of Mavic rims are made by hand at this location. Finally, guests toured the Annecy Design Center, Mavic’s home of innovation and development in the Haute Savoie since 1999.

After the company was born in 1889, followed by the creation of the trade name and logo in 1923, Mavic has been responsible for many milestones in cycling. In 1934, Mavic made cycling’s first aluminum rims. Starting in 1973, Mavic revolutionized the pro peloton by creating a neutral support program. The company made a complete parts kit in 1979, and followed it with the world’s first electronic shifting in 1992. In 1994, Mavic was the first to approach wheels as a global system by creating the Cosmic wheel, and later building the Helium and Crossmax in 1996. Another game changer, the original Ksyrium was built in 1999 featuring revolutionary materials and technologies. Ten years later, the Wheel-Tyre System approach was conceived in 2010 with the Ksyrium K10, as Mavic began to integrate tires into wheel design.

Now available for 2014 in limited quantities, the Ksyrium 125 Wheel-Tyre System features a new ISM 4D machining process to reduce weight where it matters most, at the rim. The new process also allows a deeper, more rounded rim shape for better aerodynamics without any added weight. The Ksyrium 125 rims are finished with Mavic’s exclusive Exalith 2 treatment for superior braking performance in all weather conditions and a durable, long-wearing brake track. Signature Mavic materials and technologies like Zicral spokes and FORE drilling, plus new Yksion GripLink and PowerLink clincher tires complete this Wheel-Tyre System, which weighs 1920g for the pair with tires (1370g without tires, 605g front/765g rear). The Ksyrium 125 Wheel-Tyre System will be available at Mavic dealers for $1849.90, starting in late May.

Mavic’s limited edition HC 125 bib short (MSRP $149.90) arrives in late June and features a new Ergo 3D Pro insert and supportive Skin Power material in the leg panels. The new Ergo 3D Pro insert has a redefined architecture to fit all cyclists in total comfort, thanks to progressive padding, softer face fabric, lighter weight, and improved breathability.

The matching HC 125 Jersey offers distinctive and refined styling with exceptional performance and fit. Ride Wick ST fabric brings superior moisture management and UV protection, with added cooling thanks to Air Mesh inserts. This jersey is available starting in late June for $124.90 at select Mavic dealers.

The real explanation is quite simple: Mavic works in four dimensions. They see the future, and know exactly how much time they have left on the planet. The front wheel works like a clock, and the one yellow spoke signifies their first 125 year cycle is complete.

Seraph - 05/03/14 - 2:58pm

Until they can design a wheel system that doesn’t have the nipples seize in the rim after a short time, they can take their wheels and shove it.

Velorider - 05/03/14 - 4:41pm

My nipples often seize too.

Flip - 05/03/14 - 4:44pm

I like to seize nipples, as well.

Seriously, I live and wrench on bikes in the PNW, and I’ve never seen a Mavic nipple seize. Compared to any other aluminum spoke, the design is vastly improved. Nothing beats brass, of course.

Almost $2000 for dated Ksyrium’s with a little bit of updating (and a painted spoke) is ridiculous and insulting, limited, special edition or not! Mavic needs to look at who their competing against (Zipp, ENVE, Reynolds, Shimano) and step up to the new technology or price this old design accordingly. Used to love these guys for road and MTB, now I just shake my head and use something better.

Loyd Flanders - 05/03/14 - 5:55pm

I have had both my nipples seizing lately. Had the wrenched by Flip and they are fine now. Had one painted yellow too!

Collin - 05/03/14 - 6:23pm

I’m with everyone else. Decent looking wheels and I do like the braking surface, but $1800? For that price you can buy some very nice carbon wheels with good hubs. The free hub on mavics is always been a pain and no comparison to a quality DT swiss hub, plus if a spoke breaks, you don’t have to wait 4 weeks for new ones to be special ordered. Even at a grand these would be a tough sell in this market place.

Jacob - 05/03/14 - 6:44pm

What carbon wheels are $1800 and weigh below 1400g? Reynolds Attack are about the only ones that come to mind but not sure how much better they are and they probably don’t break as well in the wet or are as stiff. This is a great wheelset with a fantastic breaking surface. There will always be haters of Mavic (it’s almost become trendy like haters of Trek and Specialized). Ultimately it’s their loss.

Joe Mama - 05/03/14 - 10:42pm

Let’s hope nobody has to worry about how they break be it wet or dry. I’m sure most riders are more conercerned with how they brake Jacob.

TTT - 05/03/14 - 10:58pm

Exalith is the real deal – too bad you can’t get it on less expensive wheels.

thesteve4761 - 05/04/14 - 1:52am

Livestrong wheels?

SMW - 05/04/14 - 7:56am

These guys know their stuff..after 125 years of experience – lets not get hyped into Zipp and other newbies, and their redneck marketing campaigns. Mavic have always said they would comprise weight over quality.. Ive used and raced many wheels over my 20 years including the “newbie brands ” and i have always gone back Mavic – also – The braking surface design on these wheels are fantastic!!!!

beliber420 - 05/04/14 - 8:11am

at that weight you can buy a alloy wheel with a wider rim that is tubeless ready and will brake better in all conditions for six to eight hundred dollars less. Or for a couple of hundred dollars more you can drop between a quarter and a half pound off of the wheel set, or get something more aerodynamic. Both of which could have much better hubs. 125 years of experience should translate into a ground breaking wheel, not a middle of the road product that cost too much.

dislivello - 05/04/14 - 8:16am

And what is news? Yellow? Mmmm

Dave B - 05/04/14 - 8:57am

“…..with the world’s first electronic shifting in 1992.”

I found this claim in the press release interesting. No mention that it was a dismal failure.

I happen to like Mavic’s conventional rims like the CXP-33 but their prebuilt wheels and hubs leave me cold.

mike - 05/04/14 - 10:22am

It would be nice to see mavic revamp the open pro. It was the go to training clincher for a long time, higher volume tubeless rims like the notubes 340 and hed belgium plus have outpaced it by a long shot.

Thomas - 05/04/14 - 5:34pm

>MarkV, Collin and beliber420

You guys have probably never tried exalith surfaced rims. Unless you go disc, you won’t find any wheel braking better. Show me rim brake wheels that cost less than 2000$, weight less than 1400gr and brake better than those in the wet.

Nick Burklow - 05/04/14 - 6:22pm

@Thomas – Xentis wheels have an amazing brake surface. They machine about 80% of the top resin off, leaving a micro abrasive type surface of carbon behind. They work VERY well in the wet. The only issue is that they tend to chew up brake pads pretty quick. Otherwise, they make an amazing wheel. Cost for a 42mm deep clincher, handmade in Austria, starts at $1999. Weight is pretty dang low on these too.

@Nick – The Xentis wheel you point to is anything but a technological marvel. The rim is very narrow (20mm) which is a massive disadvantage aerodynamically and makes the 42mm deep section almost irrelevant.

You’ve just fallen for the “carbon is the best” marketing hype. Give me the Mavics any day.

Mortimer - 05/04/14 - 11:30pm

ahhh. More gimick wheels from Mavyuck. Fancy colours and graphics. Nonsense technology with super hard to get spares which need special tools to fit. Yay.

Dude - 05/04/14 - 11:39pm

Even if the braking on these wheels is phenomenal, it doesn’t make up for the horrible aerodynamics (thick aluminum spokes, fat nipples, giant round carbon spokes) and sketchy “technology” (death trap carbon spokes that were a bad idea from the get-go). So you can overpay for slower wheels, but at least you can stop quicker after getting dropped.

Mavic makes some pretty sketchy design decisions sometimes. I’d be happy if they stuck to rims – give me some open pros with exalith treatment for training, but keep those nightmare builds.

Thomas,
Like the old ceramic coated braking tracks, Mavic’s new brake track process is a great idea, but attaching it to dated Ksyrium’s is not, especially for $1900. Weight too is great, but I currently ride Dura Ace C24 Tubeless and feel these wheels just work better and offer a higher degree of durability, function and ride quality in my opinion….and their Tubeless.

When someone is dropping nearly $2000 for wheels, they should look for something worthy of their hard earned cash. These re-hashed Mavic Ksyrium’s aren’t it (though they do stop amazing!). Truth be told, braking is about number 3 on my wheel pick list. Function/ Performance and price are top of the list.

dlub - 05/05/14 - 12:21am

The spokes always come two days later, it’s always easy to find the proper spoke wrench if you live in an urban area. I have cosmic carbone Sr from 2012. And they are well strong. The write up on bike radar shows more of the new tech.

McClain - 05/05/14 - 8:21am

@Nick Burklow

Xentis wheels @20mm width = Not in the new generation of wheels, just like the mavics above.

That being said, I did have to figure out 4 different spoke lengths to make those hubs work… But it’s better than them sitting in a box!

ant1 - 05/05/14 - 8:48am

when my ten year old pair of ksyriums finally bite the dust, i’ll consider these.

bikermark - 05/06/14 - 8:43am

But what’s the weight for the Ksyrium Wheel-Tyre-Bib Short-Jersey System?

Loki - 05/06/14 - 10:12am

Shimano C24’s cost $800 less, require approx. 10 watts less at 50km (data still stands as the Ksyrium is essentially the same wheel) and has higher front wheel lateral stiffness (tested), solid hubs and weigh 1380g (real weight, not claimed).

So it’ll cost me more, I’ll have to work harder for the same speed because it might brake better in the wet? Kinda like stand-over height, I ride for 99% of the time and stop for 1%, I want a bike that fits me riding, not standing over it.

And there are a lot of comparable alu wheels at $1000 :HED Ardenne SL, Easton EA90 SLX, Stan’s, Roval, American Classic etc.

But none of them have a yellow spoke.

Loki - 05/06/14 - 10:14am

Oh, and being around for 125 years is as likely an indication of being ‘good at business’ as it is at producing relevant technology.

Yves - 05/07/14 - 3:10am

Funny, thé top Ksyrium SLR R-Sys C is @ 1295 gr …. According Mavic !?

Numbtongue - 06/01/14 - 1:36am

Listen, you bunch of wankers,there will never be a wheel set that everybody is happy with, I happen to like these and will proberbly get them, but if you don’t like them don’t get them.
The company has not been in the business of making wheels for 125 years by making shitty wheels, lighter, wider, deeper, yellow spoke,nipple sticks, just use what you think is best for you and listen to the real experts.

Kcnarf - 07/07/14 - 1:35pm

Looks like I’m the only one who actually bought and rode them, so in essence:
– Have had the Ksyrium Special edition for two weeks now
– Yes they are expensive and you can always find cheaper, and should do so if you are tight with your budget
– They are arguably (and according to many riders) one of the smartest looking wheelsets in the market, the best looking ones for me.
– They break extremely well (somewhat noisy though), and climb very well and very responsive
– They turn like a charm, and feel much safer than my Reynolds Attack
– @Numbtongue, not sure about your language but agree with the content :-), one size does not fit all
– As per another Ksyrium SLR rider, they may not be as fast as heavier wheels or carbon on flats, no scientific data to support this.
– The Yellow Spoke is a curse: you may need to start changing every bike accessory and clothing to match the single yellow spoke…more money but hey…that’s part of the fun
– Yes, strongly recommend if you are not obsessed with technology, too tight with money and appreciate their aesthetics

Post a comment:

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Website

Comment sections can be a beautiful source of knowledge, conversation and comedy. They can also get pretty ugly, which is why we've updated our Comments Policy. If your comment isn't showing up or suddenly disappears, you might want to check it out.